System and method for positionally accurate gaming content

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed for providing access to first interactive content or second interactive content by a user of a portable computing device based upon a determined location of the portable computing device. The system includes a host server, a content server storing data representing the first interactive content and the second interactive content, and a communication network in communication with the host server and the content server. One or more WiFi communication beacons are in communication with the host server through the communication network. The communication network is configured to establish communication with the portable computing device. The host server is configured to determine a location of the portable computing device from the communication of the portable computing device with the communication network using a combination of WiFi signals and Bluetooth signals. The host server configured to control the content server and enable the portable computing device to display the first interactive content when the portable computing device is determined to be in a first location and to display the second interactive content when the portable computing device is determined to be in a second location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/656,946, filed Jul. 21, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/494,441, filed Sep. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,721,427, which are both incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to systems and methods of determining thelocation of a user's portable device and, more specifically, systems andmethods of determining the location of a user's portable device andproviding tailored interactive content based on the determined location.

BACKGROUND

Previously, various types of gaming machines have been developed withdifferent features to captivate and maintain player interest. Ingeneral, a gaming machine allows a player to play a game in exchange fora wager. Depending on the outcome of the game, the player may beentitled to an award which is paid to the player by the gaming machine,normally in the form of currency or game credits. Gaming machines mayinclude flashing displays, lighted displays, or sound effects to capturea player's interest in a gaming device.

Another important feature of maintaining player interest in a gamingmachine includes providing the player with many opportunities to winawards, such as cash or prizes. For example, in some slot machines, thedisplay windows show more than one adjacent symbol on each reel, therebyallowing for multiple-line betting.

There is a desire to use mobile devices such as smart phones as gamingdevices, although there remains the problem that these mobile devices donot have access to traditional gaming peripherals. It would be desirableto allow mobile devices to participate in playing games with real moneyin a casino environment, leveraging existing infrastructure in a waythat makes sense to a player.

While gaming machines including feature games have been successful,there remains a need for feature games that provide players withenhanced excitement and an increased opportunity of winning.

SUMMARY

Briefly, and in general terms, disclosed herein is a system forproviding access to first interactive content or second interactivecontent by a user of a portable computing device based upon a determinedlocation of the portable computing device. The system includes a hostserver, a content server storing data representing the first interactivecontent and the second interactive content, and a communication networkin communication with the host server and the content server. One ormore WiFi communication beacons are in communication with the hostserver through the communication network. The communication network isconfigured to establish communication with the portable computingdevice. The host server is configured to determine a location of theportable computing device from the communication of the portablecomputing device with the communication network using WiFi signals. Thehost server configured to control the content server and enable theportable computing device to display the first interactive content whenthe portable computing device is determined to be in a first locationand to display the second interactive content when the portablecomputing device is determined to be in a second location.

In another embodiment, the system enables the portable computing device(instead of the host server) to determine its location by monitoringWiFi and other wireless signals then displaying appropriate content fromlocally stored content. In such an embodiment, a network connection orback end server/service is not required for the portable computingdevice to determine its location. The communications/wireless signal maybe WiFi, Bluetooth, zigbee, or any wireless signal (or combinationsthereof) from which a signal can be received and a signal strengthdetermined.

In still another embodiment, a method is disclosed of delivering atleast first interactive content and second interactive content to aportable computing device based upon a location of the portablecomputing device, the portable computing device including communicationfunctionality. The method includes: transmitting communication beaconsignals from a plurality of beacons; establishing communication betweenthe portable computing device and the plurality of beacons using thetransmitted communication beacon signals; by using WiFi signals,Bluetooth signals, other wireless signals, or combinations thereof,deriving from the communication, using a processor, a location of theportable computing device within one of a first location having firstdemographic characteristics and a second location having seconddemographic characteristics; and configuring a server for providing tosaid portable device said first interactive content when the portabledevice is determined to be in said first location and said secondinteractive content when said portable device is determined to be insaid second location.

Notably, in yet other embodiments, the content server additionallystores data representing the third interactive content, fourthinteractive content, fifth interactive content, . . . Nth interactivecontent, and wherein the portable computing device displayscorresponding interactive content when the portable computing device isdetermined to be in a third location, fourth location, fifth location, .. . Nth location, respectively.

The disclosed embodiments further relate to machine readable media onwhich are stored embodiments of the disclosed invention describedherein. It is contemplated that any media suitable for retrievinginstructions is within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. By way ofexample, such media may take the form of magnetic, optical, orsemiconductor media. The invention also relates to data structures thatcontain embodiments of the disclosed invention, and to the transmissionof data structures containing embodiments of the disclosed invention.

Further advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be brought out inthe following portions of the specification, wherein the detaileddescription is for the purpose of fully disclosing the variousembodiments without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application will be more fully understood by reference tothe following figures, which are for illustrative purposes only. Thefigures are not necessarily drawn to scale and elements of similarstructures or functions are generally represented by like referencenumerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. The figuresare only intended to facilitate the description of the variousembodiments described herein. The figures do not describe every aspectof the teachings disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of theclaims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a logic diagram of a system for providinggeographically tailored gaming content.

FIG. 2 illustrates a layout view of a game floor and a front view of aportable gaming device is located within Zone A of the displayed gamefloor.

FIG. 3 illustrates a layout view of a game floor and a front view of aportable gaming device is located within Zone B of the displayed gamefloor.

FIG. 4 illustrates a layout view of a game floor with a sharedelectronic table game and a front view of a portable gaming device islocated within Zone A of the displayed game floor.

FIG. 5 illustrates a layout view of a game floor with a sharedelectronic table game and a front view of a portable gaming device islocated within Zone B of the displayed game floor.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a gaming machine in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7A illustrates a block diagram of the physical and logicalcomponents of the gaming machine of FIG. 1 in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 7B illustrates a block diagram of the physical and logicalcomponents of the gaming machine of FIG. 1 in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of the logical components of a gamingkernel in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic block diagram showing the hardwareelements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 9B illustrates a schematic block diagram showing the hardwareelements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram showing an example of architecture fortying a casino enterprise network to an external provider of games andcontent to Internet or broadband communication capable devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the presentdisclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Otherembodiments of the presently disclosed system and method readily suggestthemselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

Each of the features and teachings disclosed herein can be utilizedseparately or in conjunction with other features and teachings toprovide a system and method to provide user-configurable rules for teamplay on a single gaming machine. Representative examples utilizing manyof these additional features and teachings, both separately and incombination, are described in further detail with reference to theattached figures. This detailed description is merely intended to teacha person of skill in the art further details for practicing aspects ofthe present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of theclaims. Therefore, combinations of features disclosed above in thedetailed description may not be necessary to practice the teachings inthe broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to describeparticularly representative examples of the present teachings.

In the description below, for purposes of explanation only, specificnomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of thepresent system and method. However, it will be apparent to one skilledin the art that these specific details are not required to practice theteachings of the present system and method.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions herein are presented in termsof algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desiredresult. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the below discussion, itis appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “configuring,”“determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to the actions andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

The present application also relates to an apparatus for performing theoperations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for therequired purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computerselectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk,including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-opticaldisks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMS), EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer systembus.

The algorithms presented herein are not inherently related to anyparticular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems,computer servers, or personal computers may be used with programs inaccordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient toconstruct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required methodsteps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appearfrom the description below. It will be appreciated that a variety ofprogramming languages may be used to implement the teachings of thedisclosure as described herein.

Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and thedependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically andexplicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodimentsof the present teachings. It is also expressly noted that all valueranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possibleintermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of originaldisclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimedsubject matter. It is also expressly noted that the dimensions and theshapes of the components shown in the figures are designed to help tounderstand how the present teachings are practiced, but not intended tolimit the dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various embodiments of the disclosed system andmethod for geographically tailored gaming content that determines thelocation of a user's portable device based upon criteria associated withthe determined location to provide tailored interactive content, such asgame content. Also disclosed are systems and methods for geographicallytailored gaming content that relate to a gaming device, such as anelectronic gaming table, where based upon the determined location of aplayer's portable device, the device will display only a game playerinterface or will display the interface with images of the game.

Some embodiments of the system and method for geographically tailoredgaming content leverage employ location awareness technology to delivergame experiences that are tailored to a specific location. For example,specific areas of a casino property may include gaming floor, bars,restaurants and shops. In the disclosed embodiments, location awarenesstechnology enables interactive content (e.g., a wagering game) on mobilecomputing devices to acquire information about the devices' geographiclocation. This geographic location information may then be used by themobile computing device game to generate unique gaming experiences basedon location, e.g., position on the game floor.

In one embodiment, the system and method for geographically tailoredgaming content uses multiple technologies to determine the location of amobile computing device. In one aspect of the geographically tailoredgaming content system, cellular tower positioning is used for achievingpositional accurate location. Where accessible (primarily outdoors), GPSsignals may be used. In another aspect of the geographically tailoredgaming content system, more accurate positional approximation within acasino property is achieved using WiFi signal strength from accesspoints. In still another aspect of the geographically tailored gamingcontent system, Bluetooth 4.0 standard (Bluetooth Low EnergyBLE/Bluetooth Smart; short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM bandfrom 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) technology is used to augment the above-mentionedpositioning technologies. However, in other embodiments, other wirelesssignals and/or protocols are implemented to determine locations. Forexample, 5 GHz location beacons with another encoding protocol may beused.

By using WiFi in combination with Bluetooth, the geographically tailoredgaming content system can achieve approximately one to two meteraccuracy. This level of accuracy is sufficient to locate a player/mobilecomputing device within a specific region of the property. In oneembodiment of the geographically tailored gaming content system,locations are specific areas of a casino property such as gaming floor,bars, restaurants and shops. By identifying when a player/mobilecomputing device is in a specific location, the game play can bemodified to provide a different bonus event to the player.

In some embodiments of the geographically tailored gaming contentsystem, locations may also be determined by several additional methodsas well. In one embodiment, trilateration is implemented by thegeographically tailored gaming content system, which uses the ReceivedSignal Strength Indication (RSSI) measured by the mobile computingdevice's receiver. This technique examines the RSSI of multiple radiosto determine a relative position of a mobile computing device. In someembodiments, the geographically tailored gaming content system uses the“proximity” technique (nearest neighbor), which scans for the strongestsignal strength, and determines a mobile computing device's positionbased on the RSSI and fixed geographic location of the transmittingdevice.

In one example implementation of the geographically tailored gamingcontent system, two unique player interaction methods are delivered to aplayer as a game bonus based on the player's present location. In thisexample implementation, a U-Drive bonus mechanism provides the firstunique player interaction method, e.g., a traditional touch screeninteraction to a bonus event for player on the main gaming area.Continuing in this example implementation, the second unique playerinteraction method enables players to provide “pitch,” “roll,” and “yaw”input through their mobile computing device. These “pitch,” “roll,” and“yaw” input capabilities are designed to appeal to a younger, moretech-savvy group of players. The geographically tailored gaming contentsystem uses location awareness technology to change the bonusinteraction to one that enables players to “pitch,” “roll,” and “yaw”their mobile computing device to steer in a bonus round.

The more tech-savvy group of players would be identified by location,such as a club or Gen-Y centric lounge on property. In developing a gamewith multiple experiences, a single game development may be targeted attwo distinct player demographics and provide unique experiences to eachdistinct player demographic that is more in line with their expectationsof gaming interactions.

Another example implementation of the geographically tailored gamingcontent system is the shared table wagering experience. In this exampleimplementation, multiple players (e.g., four players) are seated at acommon display and wager on a game event. This is similar to electronictable game (ETG) roulette, but with all players sharing a common singlelarge display. By using the geographically tailored gaming contentsystem, players not seated at the game table are also able to play andwager on the same game being played on the game table via their mobilecomputing devices.

For players in the vicinity of the electronic shared table, an auxiliarylarge overhead display shows the game on the main table. Players not atthe table may use an application, associated with geographicallytailored gaming content system, on their mobile computing device towager on the table game event. The location awareness from thegeographically tailored gaming content system enables the mobilewagering experience to be tailored to the remote player's location.Without the geographically tailored gaming content system, players needto be in visual sight of the secondary display to see the game outcome.With the geographically tailored gaming content system, remote playersbeyond the visual sight of the secondary display may still play thegame.

In another aspect of the geographically tailored gaming content system,a player's mobile interface is optimized to show a wagering interface ifthe player is in visual sight of the overhead game display (i.e., sameroom), since the game outcome is visible within their current location.This feature enables the wagering interface to be graphicallyrepresented for best usability on a mobile screen since there is no needto occupy screen area showing the table game screen. In this manner, aplayer who is not in the same room as the shared table game may stillwager on the same game, but their mobile experience would display arepresentation of the table game (as well as the ability to launch orenlarge a wagering interface). This type of adaptive game interface thatis presented by the geographically tailored gaming content system is aunique way of using location awareness to tailor interactive gamingcontent.

The two above example implementations of the geographically tailoredgaming content system were focused on casino property applications. Inother embodiments of the geographically tailored gaming content system,the system may be extended to wagering off property. In one suchembodiment of the geographically tailored gaming content system,wagering games are offered in jurisdictions where mobile wagering islegal, but when the mobile computing device is outside of a geo-fencedapproved area for wagering, the players are provided with a “play forfree” (non-gambling) version of the same game. In still otherembodiments of the geographically tailored gaming content system,entertainment/amusement games are offered in a first geographical area,but when the mobile computing device is outside of the firstgeographical area (e.g., using geo-fencing technology), the players areprovided with different interactive content (e.g., a different versionsof the entertainment/amusement games, different gameentertainment/amusement titles, and the like).

Yet another embodiment of the geographically tailored gaming contentsystem is configured for use with multi-state lotteries. In such anembodiment, the geographically tailored gaming content system employs amobile application that enables players to purchase lottery tickets viaa mobile computing device from their current location. For example,using the geographically tailored gaming content system within thegeographical boundaries of New York state, users of the system maypurchase N.Y. state lottery tickets but when crossing into thegeographical boundaries of Pa. state, the mobile applicationautomatically converts to enabling the purchase of Pa. state lotterytickets.

Continuing, in another embodiment of the geographically tailored gamingcontent system, players' club information is tied into the system toenable the identifying of players that are returning to specific areasand playing the same game again. In this embodiment of thegeographically tailored gaming content system, when a previous playerreturns and plays the same game on the same gaming machine, this returngame play unlocks new options, levels, or features. Additionally, inthis embodiment of the geographically tailored gaming content system,some games require players to traverse areas of the casino property tounlock different features, levels, points, or combinations thereof.

Another implementation of the geographically tailored gaming contentsystem is for the insertion of Casino branded content. In someembodiments, corporate casino operators use the geographically tailoredgaming content system and location rules to control the insertion ofadaptive content that is unique to the casino operators' brand.

Still another implementation of the geographically tailored gamingcontent system is for geographic theming of games. In one suchembodiment of the geographically tailored gaming content system,geographically tailored games have a different visual appearance for anEast Coast market than they do for a Las Vegas or West Coast property.In yet another implementation of the geographically tailored gamingcontent system, language preferences for the content are determinedusing geo-location such that the primary language in a geographic regionis automatically selected. Continuing, in another implementation of thegeographically tailored gaming content system, game pay tables oravailable denomination are adjusted based on the location of the mobilecomputing device within a casino property. In other embodiments, othergeographically tailored gaming content includes regional/locationspecific sounds, graphics, languages, events, paybacks, interactions,and combinations thereof.

The geographically tailored gaming content system leverages multipleradio receivers that are integrated into modern mobile computing devices(e.g., smart phones, tablets, and the like). Simple coarse locationposition may be determined by cell tower localization. More accuratepositional information may be obtained using the WiFi and Bluetoothradio signals of the mobile computing device. Within a casino property,a significant number of WiFi access points typically exist, and withtheir fixed locations, more accurate mobile computing device locationcan be determined using RSSI and Trilateration or proximity techniques.To further improve accuracy, Bluetooth battery powered Beacons may beplaced at various locations to provide more granular locational signals.The use of both technologies enables positional accuracy in the range ofone to two meters.

When using the geographically tailored gaming content system, the systemenables games or applications on a mobile computing device to monitorthe signal strength from known WiFi Access points and BLE Beacons. Byusing this location information and comparing the location informationto a local or network/cloud data base of Access/Beacon locations, thesystem enables the mobile computing devices to determine a relativegeographical position of a mobile computing device within a property.

Accordingly, by leveraging the geographically tailored gaming contentsystem, the game logic of an application or a server/cloud based systemmay alter user presented content or interfaces relative to the mobilecomputing device's position. Such game logic may be in the form ofpermissions or game outcome percentages. Continuing, the geographicallytailored gaming content system leverages the increased computing powerand hardware integration of mobile computing devices to provide tailoreduser experiences based on location.

In some embodiments, the geographically tailored gaming content systemenables geographically-tailorable games to adapt various types ofpositional game logic, thereby enabling unique gaming experiences basedon the player's location. The geographically tailored gaming contentsystem may be implemented both macroscopically (e.g., large geo-fenceboundaries, state borders, and the like) or microscopically (casinoproperty, small discreet areas, and the like) to provide a singlegeographically-tailorable game that can suit demographic orjurisdictional differences with a single build.

Referring to FIG. 6, gaming machine 600 is capable of supporting variousembodiments, including cabinet housing 620, primary game display 640upon which a primary game and feature game may be displayed, top box 650which may display multiple progressives that may be won during play ofthe feature game, player-activated buttons 660, player tracking panel636, bill/voucher acceptor 680 and one or more speakers 690. Cabinethousing 620 may be a self-standing unit that is generally rectangular inshape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel or other rigidmaterials which are resistant to tampering and vandalism. Cabinethousing 620 may alternatively be a handheld device including the gamingfunctionality as discussed herein and including various of the describedcomponents herein. For example, a handheld device may be a cell phone,personal data assistant, or laptop or tablet computer, each of which mayinclude a display, a processor, and memory sufficient to support eitherstand-alone capability such as gaming machine 600 or thin clientcapability such as that incorporating some of the capability of a remoteserver.

In one or more embodiments, cabinet housing 620 houses a processor,circuitry, and software (not shown) for receiving signals from theplayer-activated buttons 660, operating the games, and transmittingsignals to the respective displays and speakers. Any shaped cabinet maybe implemented with any embodiment of gaming machine 600 so long as itprovides access to a player for playing a game. For example, cabinet 620may comprise a slant-top, bar-top, or tabletop style cabinet, includinga Bally Cinevision™ or CineReels™ cabinet. The operation of gamingmachine 600 is described more fully below.

The plurality of player-activated buttons 660 may be used for variousfunctions such as, but not limited to, selecting a wager denomination,selecting a game to be played, selecting a wager amount per game,initiating a game, or cashing out money from gaming machine 600. Buttons660 may be operable as input mechanisms and may include mechanicalbuttons, electromechanical buttons or touch screen buttons. Optionally,a handle 685 may be rotated by a player to initiate a game.

In one or more embodiments, buttons 660 may be replaced with variousother input mechanisms known in the art such as, but not limited to, atouch screen system, touch pad, trackball, mouse, switches, toggleswitches, or other input means used to accept player input such as aBally iDeck™. One other example input means is a universal button moduleas disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060247047, entitled“Universal Button Module,” filed on Apr. 14, 2005, which is herebyincorporated by reference. Generally, the universal button moduleprovides a dynamic button system adaptable for use with various gamesand capable of adjusting to gaming systems having frequent game changes.More particularly, the universal button module may be used in connectionwith playing a game on a gaming machine and may be used for suchfunctions as selecting the number of credits to bet per hand.

Cabinet housing 620 may optionally include top box 650 which contains“top glass” 652 comprising advertising or payout information related tothe game or games available on gaming machine 600. Player tracking panel636 includes player tracking card reader 634 and player tracking display632. Voucher printer 630 may be integrated into player tracking panel636 or installed elsewhere in cabinet housing 620 or top box 650.

Game display 640 may present a game of chance wherein a player receivesone or more outcomes from a set of potential outcomes. For example, onesuch game of chance is a video slot machine game. In other aspects ofthe invention, gaming machine 600 may present a video or mechanical reelslot machine, a video keno game, a lottery game, a bingo game, a ClassII bingo game, a roulette game, a craps game, a blackjack game, amechanical or video representation of a wheel game or the like.

Mechanical or video/mechanical embodiments may include game displayssuch as mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to present thegame to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video embodiments, gamedisplay 640 is, typically, a CRT or a flat-panel display in the form of,but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuumfluorescent, field emission, or any other type of panel display known ordeveloped in the art. Game display 640 may be mounted in either a“portrait” or “landscape” orientation and be of standard or “widescreen”dimensions (i.e., a ratio of one dimension to another of at least 16×9).For example, a widescreen display may be 32 inches wide by 18 inchestall. A widescreen display in a “portrait” orientation may be 32 inchestall by 18 inches wide. Additionally, game display 640 preferablyincludes a touch screen or touch glass system (not shown) and presentsplayer interfaces such as, but not limited to, credit meter (not shown),win meter (not shown) and touch screen buttons (not shown). An exampleof a touch glass system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,571,entitled “Gaming Device with Direction and Speed Control of MechanicalReels Using Touch Screen,” which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety for all purposes.

Game display 640 may also present information such as, but not limitedto, player information, advertisements and casino promotions, graphicdisplays, news and sports updates, or even offer an alternate game. Thisinformation may be generated through a host computer networked withgaming machine 600 on its own initiative or it may be obtained byrequest of the player using either one or more of the plurality ofplayer-activated buttons 660; the game display itself, if game display640 comprises a touch screen or similar technology; buttons (not shown)mounted about game display 640 which may permit selections such as thosefound on an ATM machine, where legends on the screen are associated withrespective selecting buttons; or any player input device that offers therequired functionality.

Cabinet housing 620 incorporates a single game display 640. However, inalternate embodiments, cabinet housing 620 or top box 650 may house oneor more additional displays 653 or components used for various purposesincluding additional game play screens, animated “top glass,”progressive meters or mechanical or electromechanical devices (notshown) such as, but not limited to, wheels, pointers or reels. Theadditional displays may or may not include a touch screen or touch glasssystem.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, electronic gaming machine 701 is shown inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Electronic gaming machine 701includes base game integrated circuit board 703 (EGM Processor Board)connected through serial bus line 705 to game monitoring unit (GMU) 707(such as a Bally MC300 or ACSC NT), and player interface integratedcircuit board (PIB) 709 connected to player interface devices 711 overbus lines 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723. Printer 725 is connected to PIB709 and GMU 707 over bus lines 727, 729. Base game integrated circuitboard 703, PIB 709, and GMU 707 connect to Ethernet switch 731 over buslines 733, 735, 737. Ethernet switch 731 connects to a slot managementsystem (SMS) and a casino management system (CMS) network over bus line739. GMU 707 also may connect to the SMS and CMS network over bus line741. Speakers 743 connect through audio mixer 745 and bus lines 747, 749to base game integrated circuit board 703 and PIB 709. The proximity andbiometric devices and circuitry may be installed by upgrading acommercially available PIB 709, such as a Bally iView™ unit. Codingexecuted on base game integrated circuit board 703, PIB 709, and/or GMU707 may be upgraded to integrate a game in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention described herein, as is more fullydescribed below.

Peripherals 751 connect through I/O board 753 to base game integratedcircuit board 703. For example, a bill/ticket acceptor is typicallyconnected to a game input-output board 753 which is, in turn, connectedto a conventional central processing unit (“CPU”) base game integratedcircuit board 703, such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor mounted on agaming motherboard. I/O board 753 may be connected to base gameintegrated circuit board 703 by a serial connection such as RS-232 orUSB or may be attached to the processor by a bus such as, but notlimited to, an ISA bus. The gaming motherboard may be mounted with otherconventional components, such as are found on conventional personalcomputer motherboards, and loaded with a game program which may includea gaming machine operating system (OS), such as a Bally Alpha OS. Basegame integrated circuit board 703 executes a game program that causesbase game integrated circuit board 703 to play a game. In oneembodiment, the game program provides a slot machine game havingadjustable multi-part indicia. The various components and includeddevices may be installed with conventionally and/or commerciallyavailable components, devices, and circuitry into a conventional and/orcommercially available gaming machine cabinet, examples of which aredescribed above.

When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for example andwithout limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens, cashless tickets orvouchers, electronic funds transfers or the like into the currencyacceptor, a signal is sent by way of I/O board 753 to base gameintegrated circuit board 703 which, in turn, assigns an appropriatenumber of credits for play in accordance with the game program. Theplayer may further control the operation of the gaming machine by way ofother peripherals 751, for example, to select the amount to wager viaelectromechanical or touch screen buttons. The game starts in responseto the player operating a start mechanism such as a handle or touchscreen icon. The game program includes a random number generator toprovide a display of randomly selected indicia on one or more displays.In some embodiments, the random generator may be physically separatefrom gaming machine 700; for example, it may be part of a centraldetermination host system which provides random game outcomes to thegame program. Thereafter, the player may or may not interact with thegame through electromechanical or touch screen buttons to change thedisplayed indicia. Finally, base game integrated circuit board 703 undercontrol of the game program and OS compares the final display of indiciato a pay table. The set of possible game outcomes may include a subsetof outcomes related to the triggering of a feature game. In the eventthe displayed outcome is a member of this subset, base game integratedcircuit board 703, under control of the game program and by way of I/OBoard 753, may cause feature game play to be presented on a featuredisplay.

Predetermined payout amounts for certain outcomes, including featuregame outcomes, are stored as part of the game program. Such payoutamounts are, in response to instructions from base game integratedcircuit board 703, provided to the player in the form of coins, creditsor currency via I/O board 753 and a pay mechanism, which may be one ormore of a credit meter, a coin hopper, a voucher printer, an electronicfunds transfer protocol or any other payout means known or developed inthe art.

In various embodiments, the game program is stored in a memory device(not shown) connected to or mounted on the gaming motherboard. By way ofexample, but not by limitation, such memory devices include externalmemory devices, hard drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and flash memory cards. Inan alternative embodiment, the game programs are stored in a remotestorage device. In one embodiment, the remote storage device is housedin a remote server. The gaming machine may access the remote storagedevice via a network connection, including but not limited to, a localarea network connection, a TCP/IP connection, a wireless connection, orany other means for operatively networking components together.Optionally, other data including graphics, sound files and other mediadata for use with the EGM are stored in the same or a separate memorydevice (not shown). Some or all of the game program and its associateddata may be loaded from one memory device into another, for example,from flash memory to random access memory (RAM).

In one or more embodiments, peripherals may be connected to the systemover Ethernet connections directly to the appropriate server or tied tothe system controller inside the EGM using USB, serial or Ethernetconnections. Each of the respective devices may have upgrades to theirfirmware utilizing these connections.

GMU 707 includes an integrated circuit board and GMU processor andmemory including coding for network communications, such as the G2S(game-to-system) protocol from the Gaming Standards Association, LasVegas, Nev., used for system communications over the network. As shown,GMU 707 may connect to card reader 755 through bus 757 and may therebyobtain player card information and transmit the information over thenetwork through bus 741. Gaming activity information may be transferredby the base game integrated circuit board 703 to GMU 707 where theinformation may be translated into a network protocol, such as S2S, fortransmission to a server, such as a player tracking server, whereinformation about a player's playing activity may be stored in adesignated server database.

PIB 709 includes an integrated circuit board, PID processor, and memorywhich includes an operating system, such as Windows CE, a playerinterface program which may be executable by the PID processor togetherwith various input/output (I/O) drivers for respective devices whichconnect to PIB 709, such as player interface devices 711, and which mayfurther include various games or game components playable on PIB 709 orplayable on a connected network server and PIB 709 is operable as theplayer interface. PIB 709 connects to card reader 755 through bus 723,display 759 through video decoder 761 and bus 721, such as an LVDS orVGA bus.

As part of its programming, the PID processor executes coding to drivedisplay 759 and provide messages and information to a player. Touchscreen circuitry interactively connects display 759 and video decoder761 to PIB 709, such that a player may input information and cause theinformation to be transmitted to PIB 709 either on the player'sinitiative or responsive to a query by PIB 709. Additionally soft keys765 connect through bus 717 to PIB 709 and operate together with display759 to provide information or queries to a player and receive responsesor queries from the player. PIB 709, in turn, communicates over theCMS/SMS network through Ethernet switch 731 and busses 735, 739 and withrespective servers, such as a player tracking server.

Player interface devices 711 are linked into the virtual private networkof the system components in gaming machine 701. The system componentsinclude the iView™ processing board and game monitoring unit (GMU)processing board. These system components may connect over a network tothe slot management system (such as a commercially available BallySDS/SMS) and/or casino management system (such as a commerciallyavailable Bally CMP/CMS).

The GMU system component has a connection to the base game through aserial SAS connection and is connected to various servers using, forexample, HTTPs over Ethernet. Through this connection, firmware, media,operating system software, gaming machine configurations can bedownloaded to the system components from the servers. This data isauthenticated prior to install on the system components.

The system components include the iView™ processing board and gamemonitoring unit (GMU) processing board. The GMU and iView™ can becombined into one like the commercially available Bally GTM iViewdevice. This device may have a video mixing technology to mix the EGMprocessor's video signals with the iView display onto the top boxmonitor or any monitor on the gaming device.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, FIG. 8 is a functional blockdiagram of a gaming kernel 800 of a game program under control of basegame integrated circuit board 803. The game program uses gaming kernel800 by calling into application programming interface (API) 802, whichis part of game manager 803. The components of game kernel 800 as shownin FIG. 8 are only illustrative, and should not be considered limiting.For example, the number of managers may be changed, additional managersmay be added or some managers may be removed without deviating from thescope and spirit of the invention.

As shown in the example, there are three layers: a hardware layer 805;an operating system layer 810, such as, but not limited to, Linux; and agame kernel layer 800 having game manager 803 therein. In one or moreembodiments, the use of a standard operating system 810, such aUNIX-based or Windows-based operating system, allows game developersinterfacing to the gaming kernel to use any of a number of standarddevelopment tools and environments available for the operating systems.This is in contrast to the use of proprietary, low level interfaceswhich may require significant time and engineering investments for eachgame upgrade, hardware upgrade, or feature upgrade. The game kernellayer 800 executes at the user level of the operating system 810, anditself contains a major component called the I/O Board Server 815. Toproperly set the bounds of game application software (making integritychecking easier), all game applications interact with gaming kernel 800using a single API 802 in game manager 803. This enables gameapplications to make use of a well-defined, consistent interface, aswell as making access points to gaming kernel 800 controlled, whereoverall access is controlled using separate processes.

For example, game manager 803 parses an incoming command stream and,when a command dealing with I/O comes in (arrow 804), the command issent to an applicable library routine 812. Library routine 812 decideswhat it needs from a device, and sends commands to I/O Board Server 815(see arrow 808). A few specific drivers remain in operating system 810'skernel, shown as those below line 806. These are built-in, primitive, orprivileged drivers that are (i) general (ii) kept to a minimum and (iii)are easier to leave than extract. In such cases, the low-levelcommunication is handled within operating system 810 and the contentspassed to library routines 812.

Thus, in a few cases library routines may interact with drivers insideoperating system 810, which is why arrow 808 is shown as having threedirections (between library utilities 812 and I/O Board Server 815, orbetween library utilities 812 and certain drivers in operating system810). No matter which path is taken, the logic needed to work with eachdevice is coded into modules in the user layer of the diagram. Operatingsystem 810 is kept as simple, stripped down, and common across as manyhardware platforms as possible. The library utilities and user-leveldrivers change as dictated by the game cabinet or game machine in whichit will run. Thus, each game cabinet or game machine may have a basegame integrated circuit board 803 connected to a unique, relativelydumb, and as inexpensive as possible I/O adapter board 840, plus agaming kernel 800 which will have the game-machine-unique libraryroutines and I/O Board Server 815 components needed to enable gameapplications to interact with the gaming machine cabinet. Note thatthese differences are invisible to the game application software withthe exception of certain functional differences (i.e., if a gamingcabinet has stereo sound, the game application will be able make use ofAPI 802 to use the capability over that of a cabinet having traditionalmonaural sound).

Game manager 803 provides an interface into game kernel 800, providingconsistent, predictable, and backwards compatible calling methods,syntax, and capabilities by way of game application API 802. Thisenables the game developer to be free of dealing directly with thehardware, including the freedom to not have to deal with low-leveldrivers as well as the freedom to not have to program lower levelmanagers 830, although lower level managers 830 may be accessiblethrough game manager 803's interface 802 if a programmer has the need.In addition to the freedom derived from not having to deal with thehardware level drivers and the freedom of having consistent, callable,object-oriented interfaces to software managers of those components(drivers), game manager 803 provides access to a set of upper levelmanagers 820 also having the advantages of consistent callable,object-oriented interfaces, and further providing the types and kinds ofbase functionality required in casino-type games. Game manager 803,providing all the advantages of its consistent and richly functionalinterface 802 as supported by the rest of game kernel 800, thus providesa game developer with a multitude of advantages.

Game manager 803 may have several objects within itself, including aninitialization object (not shown). The initialization object performsthe initialization of the entire game machine, including other objects,after game manager 803 has started its internal objects and servers inappropriate order. In order to carry out this function, the kernel'sconfiguration manager 821 is among the first objects to be started;configuration manager 821 has data needed to initialize and correctlyconfigure other objects or servers.

The upper level managers 820 of game kernel 800 may include game eventlog manager 822 which provides, at the least, a logging or logger baseclass, enabling other logging objects to be derived from this baseobject. The logger object is a generic logger; that is, it is not awareof the contents of logged messages and events. The log manager's (822)job is to log events in non-volatile event log space. The size of thespace may be fixed, although the size of the logged event is typicallynot. When the event space or log space fills up, one embodiment willdelete the oldest logged event (each logged event will have a time/datestamp, as well as other needed information such as length), providingspace to record the new event. In this embodiment, the most recentevents will thus be found in the log space, regardless of their relativeimportance. Further provided is the capability to read the stored logsfor event review.

In accordance with one embodiment, meter manager 823 manages the variousmeters embodied in the game kernel 800. This includes the accountinginformation for the game machine and game play. There are hard meters(counters) and soft meters; the soft meters may be stored innon-volatile storage such as non-volatile battery-backed RAM to preventloss. Further, a backup copy of the soft meters may be stored in aseparate non-volatile storage such as EEPROM. In one embodiment, metermanager 823 receives its initialization data for the meters, duringstart-up, from configuration manager 821. While running, the cash in(824) and cash out (825) managers call the meter manager's (823) updatefunctions to update the meters. Meter manager 823 will, on occasion,create backup copies of the soft meters by storing the soft meters'readings in EEPROM. This is accomplished by calling and using EEPROMmanager 831.

In accordance with still other embodiments, progressive manager 826manages progressive games playable from the game machine. Event manager827 is generic, like log manager 822, and is used to manage variousgaming machine events. Focus manager 828 correlates which process hascontrol of various focus items. Tilt manager 832 is an object thatreceives a list of errors (if any) from configuration manager 821 atinitialization, and during game play from processes, managers, drivers,etc. that may generate errors. Random number generator manager 829 isprovided to allow easy programming access to a random number generator(RNG), as a RNG is required in virtually all casino-style (gambling)games. RNG manager 829 includes the capability of using multiple seeds.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a credit manager object (notshown) manages the current state of credits (cash value or cashequivalent) in the game machine, including any available winnings, andfurther provides denomination conversion services. Cash out manager 825has the responsibility of configuring and managing monetary outputdevices. During initialization, cash out manager 825, using data fromconfiguration manager 821, sets the cash out devices correctly andselects any selectable cash out denominations. During play, a gameapplication may post a cash out event through the event manager 827 (thesame way all events are handled), and using a call-back posted by cashout manager 825, cash out manager 825 is informed of the event. Cash outmanager 825 updates the credit object, updates its state in non-volatilememory, and sends an appropriate control message to the device managerthat corresponds to the dispensing device. As the device dispensesdispensable media, there will typically be event messages being sentback and forth between the device and cash out manager 825 until thedispensing finishes, after which cash out manager 825, having updatedthe credit manager and any other game state (such as some associatedwith meter manager 823) that needs to be updated for this set ofactions, sends a cash out completion event to event manager 827 and tothe game application thereby. Cash in manager 824 functions similarly tocash out manager 825, only controlling, interfacing with, and takingcare of actions associated with cashing in events, cash in devices, andassociated meters and crediting.

In a further example, in accordance with one or more embodiments, I/Oserver 815 may write data to the gaming machine EEPROM memory, which islocated in the gaming machine cabinet and holds meter storage that mustbe kept even in the event of power failure. Game manager 803 calls theI/O library functions to write data to the EEPROM. The I/O server 815receives the request and starts a low priority EEPROM thread 816 withinI/O server 815 to write the data. This thread uses a sequence of 8 bitcommand and data writes to the EEPROM device to write the appropriatedata in the proper location within the device. Any errors detected willbe sent as IPC messages to game manager 803. All of this processing isasynchronous.

In accordance with one embodiment, button module 817 within I/O server815, polls (or is sent) the state of buttons every 2 ms. These inputsare debounced by keeping a history of input samples. Certain sequencesof samples are required to detect a button was pressed, in which casethe I/O server 815 sends an inter-process communication event to gamemanager 803 that a button was pressed or released. In some embodiments,the gaming machine may have intelligent distributed I/O which debouncesthe buttons, in which case button module 817 may be able to communicatewith the remote intelligent button processor to get the button eventsand simply relay them to game manager 803 via IPC messages. In stillanother embodiment, the I/O library may be used for pay out requestsfrom the game application. For example, hopper module 818 must start thehopper motor, constantly monitor the coin sensing lines of the hopper,debounce them, and send an IPC message to the game manager 803 when eachcoin is paid.

Further details, including disclosure of lower level fault handlingand/or processing, are included in U.S. Pat. No. 7,351,151 entitled“Gaming Board Set and Gaming Kernel for Game Cabinets” and provisionalU.S. patent application No. 60/313,743, entitled “Form Fitting UpgradeBoard Set For Existing Game Cabinets,” filed Aug. 20, 2001; said patentand provisional are both fully incorporated herein by explicitreference.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, enterprise gaming system 901 is shown inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Enterprise gaming system 901may include one casino or multiple locations and generally includes anetwork of gaming machines 903, floor management system (SMS) 905, andcasino management system (CMS) 907. SMS 905 may include load balancer911, network services servers 913, player interface (iView) contentservers 915, certificate services server 917, floor radio dispatchreceiver/transmitters (RDC) 919, floor transaction servers 921 and gameengines 923, each of which may connect over network bus 925 to gamingmachines 903. CMS 907 may include location tracking server 931, WRGRTCEM server 933, data warehouse server 935, player tracking server 937,biometric server 939, analysis services server 941, third partyinterface server 943, slot accounting server 945, floor accountingserver 947, progressives server 949, promo control server 951, featuregame (such as Bally Live Rewards) server 953, download control server955, player history database 957, configuration management server 959,browser manager 991, tournament engine server 963 connecting through bus965 to server host 967 and gaming machines 903. The various servers andgaming machines 903 may connect to the network with various conventionalnetwork connections (such as, for example, USB, serial, parallel, RS485,Ethernet). Additional servers which may be incorporated with CMS 907include a responsible gaming limit server (not shown), advertisementserver (not shown), and a control station server (not shown) where anoperator or authorized personnel may select options and input newprogramming to adjust each of the respective servers and gaming machines903. SMS 905 may also have additional servers including a controlstation (not shown) through which authorized personnel may selectoptions, modify programming, and obtain reports of the connected serversand devices, and obtain reports. The various CMS and SMS servers aredescriptively entitled to reflect the functional executable programmingstored thereon and the nature of databases maintained and utilized inperforming their respective functions.

Gaming machines 903 include various peripheral components that may beconnected with USB, serial, parallel, RS-485 or Ethernetdevices/architectures to the system components within the respectivegaming machine. The GMU has a connection to the base game through aserial SAS connection. The system components in the gaming cabinet maybe connected to the servers using HTTPs or G2S over Ethernet. Using CMS907 and/or SMS 905 servers and devices, firmware, media, operatingsystems, and configurations may be downloaded to the system componentsof respective gaming machines for upgrading or managing floor contentand offerings in accordance with operator selections or automaticallydepending upon CMS 907 and SMS 905 master programming. The data andprogramming updates to gaming machines 903 are authenticated usingconventional techniques prior to installation on the system components.

In various embodiments, any of the gaming machines 903 may be amechanical reel spinning slot machine or a video slot machine or agaming machine offering one or more of the above described gamesincluding a group play game. Alternately, gaming machines 903 mayprovide a game with a simulated musical instrument interface as aprimary or base game or as one of a set of multiple primary gamesselected for play by a random number generator. A gaming system of thetype described above also allows a plurality of games in accordance withthe various embodiments of the invention to be linked under the controlof a group game server (not shown) for cooperative or competitive playin a particular area, carousel, casino or between casinos located ingeographically separate areas. For example, one or more examples ofgroup games under control of a group game server are disclosed in U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008/0139305, entitled “Networked System andMethod for Group Play Gaming,” filed on Nov. 9, 2007, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

All or portions of the present invention may also be implemented orpromoted by or through a system as suggested in FIG. 10. At 901 is thegaming system of FIGS. 9A and 9B, which may be hosted at a casinoproperty enterprise, across several casino enterprises or by a thirdparty host. As described above, the gaming system 901 has a networkcommunication bus 965 providing for communication between the gamingterminals 903 and various servers. To provide the functionalityillustrated in FIG. 10, a bonusing server 1000, such as a Bally EliteBonusing Server, is connected to the network communication bus 965(FIGS. 9A and 9B) for communication to the gaming system 901, the gamingterminals 903 and the various servers and other devices as describedabove. Through a secure network firewall 1002 the bonusing server 1000is in communication with a cloud computing/storage service 1004 whichmay be hosted by the casino enterprise, a licensed third party or, ifpermitted by gaming regulators, an unlicensed provider. For example thecloud service 1004 may be as provided by Microsoft® Private CloudSolutions offered by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., USA.

The cloud service 1004 provides various applications which can beaccessed and delivered to, for example, personal computers 1006,portable computing devices such as computer tablets 1008, personaldigital assistants (PDAs) 1010 and cellular devices 1012 such astelephones and smart phones. As but an example, the cloud service 1004may store and host an eWallet application, casino or player-centricapplications such as downloadable or accessible applications includinggames, promotional material or applications directed to and/or affectinga casino customers interaction with a casino enterprise (such asaccessing the players casino account, establishing casino credit or thelike), providing bonuses to players through system wide bonusing (SMB)or specific bonusing or comps to players, or other applications. Thecloud service 1004 includes security provided for secure communicationswith the cloud service 1004 between the player/users and the cloudservice 1004 and between the cloud service 1004 and the gaming system901. Security applications may be through encryption, the use ofpersonal identification numbers (PINS) or other devices and systems. Assuggested in FIG. 10, the cloud service 1014 stores player/user dataretrieved from players/users and from the gaming system 901.

The players/users may access the cloud service 1004 and the applicationsand data provided thereby through the Internet or through broadbandwireless cellular communication systems and any intervening sort rangewireless communication such as WiFi. The players/users may access theapplications and data through various social media offerings such asFacebook, Twitter, Yelp, MySpace, LinkedIn or the like.

As but an example, a player/user may have a player account with a casinoenterprise Z. That account may include data such as the player's creditlevel, their rating and their available comps. The account may furthertrack any certificates, and the present value thereof, the player mayhave won as a result of the playing a game according to the presentinvention. At their smart phone 1012 the player/user sends a request tothe cloud service 1004 (perhaps through a previously downloadedapplication) to request the status of their available comps such as howmany comp points they have and what may be available through redemptionof those points (e.g., lodging, cash back, meals or merchandise). Theapplication for the request may present casino promotions, graphics orother advertising to the player/user. The application, to support such arequest, would typically require the player/user to enter a PIN. Thecloud service 1004 forwards the inquiry to the bonusing servicer 1000which, in turn, confirms the PIN and retrieves the requested informationfrom the data warehouse 935 (FIGS. 9A and 9B) or player tracking CMS/CMPserver 937 (FIGS. 9A and 9B). Alternatively the data may be stored inthe cloud service 1004 and routinely updated from the data warehouse 935or player tracking CMS/CMP server 937. In this instance the requestwould be responded to from data residing with the cloud service 1004.The information is formatted by the cloud server 1004 application anddelivered to the player/user. The delivery may be formatted based uponthe player/user's device operating system (OS), display size or thelike.

The cloud service 1000 may also host game applications to providevirtual instances of games for free, promotional, or where permitted,P2P (Pay to Play) supported gaming. Third party developers may also haveaccess to placing applications with the cloud service 1004 through, forexample a national operations center (Bally NOC 1014). A game softwaremanufacturer such as Bally Gaming, Inc. may also provide gameapplications on its own or on behalf of the casino enterprise.

Other media such as advertising, notices (such as an upcomingtournament) may also be provided to the cloud service 1004. When aplayer/user accesses the cloud service 1004 certain media may bedelivered to the player/user in a manner formatted for their applicationand device.

While the embodiment described relates to a Baccarat game it should beunderstood that the inventive concept could be applied to other gamesparticularly those where inter-play player decisions are not required.For example, a slot machine, either electro-mechanical or video mayoperate one or more virtual games in the background and routinely reportan outcome history to the player playing the primary, displayed, versionof the game. The player may then compare the histories to the primarygame and choose to instead play one of the one or more virtualbackground versions of the game. Each game version may operate from adifferently seeded random number generator so the results (and historiesmay differ).

Still further the histories may be displayed at a window to either side,above or below the primary game version being wagered upon and played bythe player or in a scrolling, ticker display again above or below or toeither side of the primary game display. In such a fashion the playermay view the histories and select a version of the game which the playermay feel is “hotter” and is having better outcomes.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specificnomenclature and formula to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. It should be apparent to those of skill in the art that thespecific details are not required in order to practice the invention.The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, therebyenabling others of skill in the art to utilize the invention, andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Thus, the foregoing disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed, and those of skill in the art recognize that manymodifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a disclosed embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: determining, by at least oneprocessor, a location of a portable computing device; in response to thedetermined location being a first location, enabling, by the at leastone processor, the portable computing device to play games using a firsttype of player input, but not a second type of player input; and inresponse to the determined location being a second location, enabling,by the at least one processor, the portable computing device to playgames using the second type of player input, the second type of playerinput being different than the first type of player input and includinggestures made with the portable computing device, wherein the gesturesinclude pitch, roll, and yaw inputs.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe determining step uses at least one of cellular tower positioning orGPS signals.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step usesWiFi trilateration.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determiningstep uses proximity, RSSI, and fixed geographic location of atransmitting device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first type ofplayer input includes touch inputs via a touchscreen interface of theportable computing device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thedetermining step is performed at least in part by a host serverincluding a processor of the at least one processor in communicationwith the portable computing device.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding delivering, by the at least one processor, the games from acontent server to the portable computing device.
 8. A method comprising:determining, by at least one processor, a location of a portablecomputing device relative to a fixed-location game display of afixed-location gaming device, the fixed-location game display configuredto display a wagering game; in response to the determined location beinga first location in view of the fixed-location game display, enabling,by the at least one processor, the portable computing device to displayonly a wagering interface but not game play content for the wageringgame; and in response to the determined location being a second locationout of view of the fixed-location game display, enabling, by the atleast one processor, the portable computing device to display both thewagering interface and the game play content for the wagering game andenabling a type of player input not available at the first location,wherein the enabled type of player input comprises gestures made withthe portable computing device, the gestures including pitch, roll, andyaw inputs.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining step usesat least one of cellular tower positioning or GPS signals.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the determining step uses WiFi trilateration.11. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining step uses proximity,RSSI, and fixed geographic location of a transmitting device.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, further including: in response to the determinedlocation being the first location, enabling, by the at least oneprocessor, the portable computing device to play the wagering game usinga first type of player input, but not a second type of player input, thesecond type of player input including the gestures made with theportable computing device.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the firsttype of player input includes touch inputs via a touchscreen interfaceof the portable computing device.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein thedetermining step is performed at least in part by a host serverincluding a processor of the at least one processor in communicationwith the portable computing device.
 15. The method of claim 8, furtherincluding delivering, by the at least one processor, data associatedwith the wagering game from a content server to the portable computingdevice.
 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the gaming device is a gamingtable hosting a live or electronic table game.
 17. One or morenon-transitory, machine-readable storage mediums having instructionsstored thereon for causing one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: determining a location of a portable computing device; inresponse to the determined location being a first location, enabling theportable computing device to play games using a first type of playerinput, but not a second type of player input; and in response to thedetermined location being a second location, enabling the portablecomputing device to play games using the second type of player input,the second type of player input being different than the first type ofplayer input and including gestures made with the portable computingdevice, wherein the gestures include roll, pitch, and yaw inputs. 18.The one or more machine-readable storage mediums of claim 17, whereinthe first type of player input includes touch inputs via a touchscreeninterface of the portable computing device, and the second type ofplayer input includes gestures made with the portable computing device.